Sight attachment for a golf putter

ABSTRACT

The specification discloses a sighting means for a golf putter, comprising a pointer and a mounting means at least one downwardly directed projection adapted to be inserted into an aperture in the upper surface of the putter head.

United States Patent Marshall SIGHT ATTACHMENT FOR A GOLF PUTTER [72] Inventor: James 0. Marshall, East Genesee Turnpike, Fayetteville, NY. 13066 [22] Filed: Aug. 5, 1970 [211 App]. No.: 61,186

[52] US. Cl. ..33/263, 273/163 R, 273/183 D [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 53/00 [58] Field of Search ..273/32, 35, 163,164, 167 D,

273/193, 194, 183 R, 183 D, 192; 33/46 A,

{56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,269,733 8/1966 Taddie et al. ..273/192 X D150,497 8/1948 Forsel] ..273/163 R X [451 Oct. 17,1972

3,529,830 9/1970 Palotsee ..273/163 R 1,556,062 10/1925 Baugh ..273/163 R X 1,969,086 8/1934 Luckett ..273/163 R 3,292,928 12/1966 Billen ..273/163 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 25,146 1904 Great Britain ..273/163 R Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Richard J. Apley Attorney-James Magee, Jr.

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT The specification discloses a sighting means for a golf putter, comprising a pointer and a mounting means at least one downwardly directed projection adapted to be inserted into an aperture in the upper surface of the putter head.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDBM 11 I912 3,698,093

INVENTOR. JAMES O. MARSHALL.

ATTORNEY.

SIGHT ATTACHMENT FOR A GOLF PUTTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to golf equipment and, more particularly, to an indicator attachment for combination with a golf putter in such a manner as to provide a line of sight between a golf ball and the cup so that the golfer can accurately direct the golf ball.

It is generally difficult to putt a golf ball with directional accuracy. Generally, the golfer must stand behind the ball prior to putting in order to establish a line of sight from the ball to the cup over which the ball must travel. The golfer then addresses the ball and attempts to swing the putter in a direction which conforms to the previously established line of sight. It will be appreciated that a slight variation or deflection of the putter during the swing will result in a misalignment and improper direction of travel for the ball relative to the hole.

This invention contemplates a means for overcoming the aforementioned difficulties which comprises a putting directional unit which can beattached to a golf putter in such a manner as to provide a line-of-sight pointer which cooperates with the putter so that the golfer can address the ball in the usual manner and establish a line of sight from a position above the ball, rather than by standing behind the ball. The putting directional unit has a rod-like pointer element together with means for detachably. mounting the unit on-the upper surface of the putter so that the pointer establishes a line-of-sight axis, which extends substantially normal to the plane defined by the face of the putter. An object of the present invention is to provide means comprising an attachment for the putter to assist the golfer to so align or present the face of the putter that it will propel the ball along the proper line to the cup. I

Another objectof the invention is to provide a puttaligning device that when detachably mountable on the head of a putter,isin the line of sight of a golfer addressing the ball, thereby enabling the golfer to align the putter blade while the ball is sighted.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device, as above characterized, that cooperates with the putter blade to point along the putt-line or a line closely parallel thereto, depending on the golfers addressing position.

This invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The achievement of these objects and the features of the invention will be more fully understood when considered in relation to the following description of the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view, showing the sighting attachment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing the attachment mounted on a putter head addressing a golf ball.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view showing the attachment ready for mounting on a golf putter.

Golf clubs, particularly putters, are produced in many different shapes, sizes, and designs. Some putters are designed so that the shaft or shank of the club joins the head between the ends of the head rather than at one of the ends. Other putters are generally designed along the same lines usually associated with woods, i.e., having a somewhat rounded rear side. Other putters are designed with the head forward of the shaft. The instant invention is suitable for use with any design or style of putter and requires only the provision of a plurality of mounting holes in the upper surface of the putter head.

Referring now to the drawing and to FIG. 2 in particular, the putter is generally shown in a common style in which the shaft intersects the head at an end thereof and the face and rear side of the club head are substantially parallel. The putter 10 comprises a shank or shaft 12 which is integrally connected to and extends upwardly of the club head 14. The face 16 of the club head 14 addresses the ball 18. The face of the club head is generally flat.

The club head is provided with a plurality of apertures in the upper surface 20. These apertures are indicated by numeral 22 in FIG.2. The apertures provide mounting means and extend downwardly from the upper surface part way towards the bottom surface but do not pass entirely through the club head.

In FIG. 1, the sighting attachment is shown generally by the numeral 30 and has a mounting means 32, comprising a pair of pins or prongs 34 and a support bar 36, which is attached to the mounting pins. Also mounted upon the support bar is the directional indicator 38, which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the face of the club and the length of the support bar. As shown, the directional indicator is mounted on the support bar by means of rearwardly curved portion so that the curved portions form a backwardly pointing section which when viewed from above appears as a rearward continuation of the indicator. Use of at least two apertures and cooperating pins prevents rotation of the indicator.

The indicator, support bar, and prongs can be integrally welded together or they can be formed from a single piece such as by molding or other techniques. The device can be made from light metal such as tin, zinc, aluminum or some suitablealloy. Alternatively, a suitable plastic can be employed, provided it is able to remain substantially undistorted in use.

In use, the forward portion of the pointer overlies the center of the golf ball, while the ball is addressed and line up is achieved, the forward portion indicating the direction of travel of the ball when the ball is stroked with the club held inthe same position relative to the hall, i.e., in a direction normal to the face of the club.

The indicator or pointer 38 is maintained in position substantially normal to the plane defined by the face of the club by the mounting means. Desirably, the mounting means is one that prevents rotation of the pointer about an axis and yet provides for easy attachment and detachment of the device.

Generally, the sight device will be used during practice sessions and will be detached during official play. Accordingly, complete removal of all attachments, brackets and the like is achieved leaving an unencumbered putter. I

It will be appreciated that the curved rear section shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 can be altered as desired. For example, the pointer can be joined to or formed integrally with the support bar at some suitable point intermediate the front and rear ends of the pointer. Alternatively, the illustrated curvature can be replaced by a pair of right angle bends in the same plane which in combination render the upper and lower portions substantially parallel.

The mounting apertures 22 can be conveniently provided in the course of manufacturing golf putters or they or some equivalent thereof can be easily drilled into any available putter. It will be appreciated that the upper surface of the putter need not be flat in order to suitably accommodate the apertures and the mounting means adapted to fit therein. The aperture or apertures need not be circular in cross section but may be of any square, rectangular, or generally elongated cross section. For example, the pair of holes can be joined to form a single slot suitable for receiving a corresponding insert. It is important that the mounting means cooperate with the aperture in order to maintain the substantially rigid pointer-support bar assembly in the proper relation to the face of the putter.

lclaim:

l. A removable line ofsight attachment for a golf putter, said attachment comprising a line-of-sight bar adapted to be mounted to the head of said putter and having a pair of downwardly projecting pins at the ends thereof, said support bar lying in a first plane parallel to the head of said putter, a direction indicator carried transversely on said support bar intermediate to said pins, said direction indicator having an upper segment spaced from and extending forwardly and rearwardly of said support bar, a lower segment extending rearwardly from and engaging said support bar, and an intermediate segment joining the upper and lower segments rearwardly of the support bar, said segments lying in and defining a second plane perpendicularly disposed to said first plane.

2. A line-of-sight attachment, as definedin claim 1, wherein said intermediate segment is curved rearwardly of said support bar. 

1. A removable line-of-sight attachment for a golf putter, said attachment comprising a support bar adapted to be mounted to the head of said putter and having a pair of downwardly projecting pins at the ends thereof, said support bar lying in a first plane parallel to the head of said putter, a direction indicator carried transversely on said support bar intermediate to said pins, said direction indicator having an upper segment spaced from and extending forwardly and rearwardly of said support bar, a lower segment extending rearwardly from and engaging said support bar, and an intermediate segment joining the upper and lower segments rearwardly of the support bar, said segments lying in and defining a second plane perpendicularly disposed to said first plane.
 2. A line-of-sight attachment, as defined in claim 1, wherein said intermediate segment is curved rearwardly of said support bar. 